Hunter worked in the New Haven public schools for more than three decades and served as chairman of the 19th Ward Democratic Committee in the 1970s.

After his reign in the school system, Hunter was arrested after looting money from a non-profit basketball camp that he ran for inner-city youths.

Dozens of community members wrote letters of support and told stories of his generosity at his sentencing. As a result, he avoided jail time and instead had served probation and paid $34,000 in restitution.